Another lawsuit filed against Children's Hospital over deadly fungus

NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans resident claims a series of negligent acts while under the medical care of a local hospital led to his contraction of a dangerous fungus.

Demario Griffin filed suit against Children’s Hospital Foundation of New Orleans, TLS Services, Aramark Management Services and The University of Miami Tissue Bank in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on May 2.

The plaintiff had to undergo a series of knee surgeries that required the use of allograft ligaments and now alleges that those involved in his care acted negligently throughout the process, which caused him to need multiple additional surgeries and to contract a fungus known as mucormycosis. The plaintiff came to believe he contracted the fungus after allegedly reading a report about others who contracted the fungus while in the Children’s Hospital around the same time frame as the plaintiff. The plaintiff asserts that improper handling of the linens led to his contraction of the fungus, which in turn led to his body not properly healing after surgery and leading to his need for additional surgeries.  Further, the plaintiff alleges that the allograft used in his surgeries was not up to the standard required for a successful surgery.

The defendants are accused of failing to take the proper steps in keeping linens uncontaminated, failing to exercise reasonable care, acting in a reckless or negligent manner and failing to provide a sterilized, uncontaminated allograft for surgical use.

The plaintiff is seeking an unknown amount in damages for his physical and mental pain and suffering; loss of past, present, and future wages; and past, present, and future psychiatric and psychological damages.

Demario Griffin is represented by Robert R. Faucheux Jr. from the Faucheux Law Firm in LaPlace.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Lloyd J. Medley.

Case no. 2014-04384.